LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech (29-7) moved in to the national spotlight today when the USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Coaches Top 25 poll was released. The Red Raiders are currently ranked No. 23 in the nation.

Tech's ranking marks the first time the fastpitch team has been ranked since it was reinstated three years ago. The last time the team was ranked was in 1985 when it was ranked 16th in the nation. The Red Raiders' ranking comes after recording victories over No. 1 Arizona, No. 6 Oklahoma and No. 13 Nebraska in the month of March.

"I am thrilled with the fact that we are considered one of the best teams in the nation," said head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie. "This team has a great work ethic, and it has finally paid off. The ranking is not only good for our team and our university, but the conference as a whole. It's really neat to see how excited the girls are."

Along with the Red Raiders, five other Big 12 teams appear in this week's poll. Oklahoma State (22-3) sits pretty at No. 4, while their in-state rival Oklahoma (25-5) comes in at No. 6. Missouri (16-5) is next in line at the No. 9 spot, while Texas (23-6) and Nebraska (14-5) are side-by-side at No. 11 and No. 12, respectively.